So I’ve already mentioned that I might get an electrician I know to diy a PowerBlock using info found on other threads on here. But I’m just looking at prebuilt ones to check first as we’ve had some trouble getting people to actually do things and at least if I’m buying one I’m not dependent on anyone having time.
I had a look on the russ Andrews website and found the power bar s 6 way. Looking at the specs are they any good? Is the yell o cable optional extra good? And would I want the super clamp surge protection?
Also saw the x6 block mk2 not sure if that’s worth the price increase?
Still seriously considering my options so any info/view points/opinions/suggestions are welcome.
You may want to look at Olson (google Olson Direct) - No nonsense, UK made power distribution blocks. Lots of different versions available so plenty of choice.
Yeah I get that but since I’d be paying someone else to build it and because it would probably be a when they have time thing I want to double check it’s actually the best option. For health reasons I can’t wire a plug by myself never mind anything more complicated. For anyone else I get it’s a no-brainer.
I think what you are asking is, what are you actually asking your expert contractor to do, be it cable, plugs, etc. Then the competent contractor will deliver for you. Others can chime in with a specification and drawings.
What you will have to think about is how do you know your contractor is competent, and how do you know he/she has delivered the specification.
As always, you need to act as the “informed customer”; otherwise, you will get what they want to deliver rather than what you want. This also means listening to the contractor when they have a differing view of the specification. They may be correct.
Looking at RA, for example, should start to inform you. Why does RA think a particular product is worth more than the next?
As the other threads have discussed, there is a lot of smoke and mirrors over mains cable and extension blocks.
I have made my own, bought modest cost ones, even from China via eBay. Soundwise i cant say i can hear a difference. But my own are certainly better build and tested.
Naim have recommended not to use power blocks which have any filtering on. Now before we get a load of responses on that, be aware that others have found it’s not an issue. I do believe that Russ Andrews do have some filtering in - but worth a check.
I’ve just ordered a DIY kit from mcru but equivalent is available made up.
Yeah, it has solid copper bus bars
I’m not really a believer but will be separating the Nova from the sky kit and then listening carefully!
That fails already by having a connector block better hard wired and connections removed.
These are usually fitted to get punters to buy more accessories to play with.
I have a 4-way Russ Andrews power bar, and used to have a standard yello IEC lead. The standard one is a fairly unsatisfactorily loose fit at the IEC end. I upgraded to a yello with a much better IEC connector and the fit was much tighter. I cannot see what it’s called on their website, but my email invoice says “YellO Limited Edition 1m UK SF to W320 Evo” My sources are all plugged into this.
I also use a DIY setup, for my amps, following @Skeptikal 's and others lead (sic). It’s been a journey, and an education, regarding this. Given my time again I think I’d have gone DIY all the way.
I’m not disappointed in the Russ Andrews kit I have now. I think it’s probably decent enough, I hope it’s far enough to the left of the cost/benefit curve to be better than non hifi kit, without costing thousands. But that’s just hope! I haven’t checked cheaper or costlier options. I also haven’t swapped a selected source to the DIY setup and amps to the Russ Andrews which might be an interesting experiment.
Anyway, tldr - the standard yello IEC might be worth avoiding in favour of the version with the upgraded IEC plug.
If you are trying to keep costs down then DIY is a no-brainer but not an option for you so I would be inclined to go for the Russ Andrews Powerbar. Well made aluminium construction and very nicely priced. I doubt you’ll do better for the money. Just buy the standard version, don’t pay extra for the ‘Superclamp’ version.
If you can spend more then I would heartily recommend one of the Chord Company blocks. The M6 if you can. It’s very expensive at £2K but brings very real and tangible musical improvements that you certainly won’t get with home-made. The S6 is also excellent at half the price, but as you would expect not as good. The newish P6 at around £600 I haven’t heard but I expect its still very good.
As far as I can see they are just re-branded Permaplug blocks. ie. fine for general use but won’t do your hi-fi any favours.
As far as you being a non-believer goes that’s fine - your choice. The only thing I would say is that have you ever heard what an expensive mains block can do? People who don’t believe tend to only buy/listen to cheap blocks or cables which only reinforces their assertion that they don’t make any difference as the cheap ones don’t make much difference.
If you listen to an expensive block you may be converted - or not, in which case you will either save yourself a fortune or seriously deplete your bank balance.
I wish you all the very best with your MCRU block that you’ve ordered but to be honest, if it’s the one I think it is, I doubt you’ll hear much if any improvement. If you have the necessary skills I would make your own from MK unswitched sockets. It will almost certainly be a lot better.